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Minnesota farmers make significant progress in planting small grain

[/title][fusion_text]Monday, April 18th 2016

Warm and dry conditions allowed Minnesota farmers to begin planting in earnest, with significant progress in planting small grain acreage during the week ending April 17th, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Field activities for the week included spreading manure, applying anhydrous and fertilizer, and planting. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 3 percent very short, 18 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Warm and windy days have raised concerns about topsoil moisture in some areas. Thirteen percent of Minnesota’s expected corn acreage has been planted, 8 days ahead of the 5-year average and 3 days ahead of last year. Potatoes reached 11 percent planted, slightly ahead of average. Pasture and hay ground are beginning to green up and pasture condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 44 percent fair, 35 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Respondents report that fall seeded forages look good and that alfalfa appears to have wintered well.

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